County councillors have welcomed an independent report on how the authority is performing.

Heads and governors of primary schools in the county were asked this spring to give their views. The questionnaire was based on that used by government Ofsted inspectors and more than half were returned.

The council's education committee agreed that the document is a useful indication of how its work is perceived.

And members say that the questionnaire should be amended and used in future years so that an ongoing assessment can be made of the authority.

The meeting was told that the main areas in need of attention include:

the involvement of schools in key decisions concerning special educational needs

provision for behaviour support

the efficiency with which statutory services are made

the provision made for pupils who have a statement of special educational needs.

There are also concerns over access to alternative education for excluded pupils and the data links between primary and secondary schools on pupil performance.